Okay, I use perolite too. I met a breeder at a reptile show last Saturday in Arlington, TX. He was telling me he lost over 1000 eggs this season due to the vermiculite he was using. His supplier for the vermiculite changed brands because the new stuff was cheaper. It ends up the new stuff had a anti-fungal chemical in it to kill fungus and this agent actually seeped into the eggs and killed them. After losing so many eggs, he caught on that it all strarted when he used the new vermiculite. He got his supplier to get in the old stuff even though it cost more and now he's back in business. I just thought this might help but your problem is just the opposite.
I told him I use perolite and he said that's great but he doesn't use it because it holds more water and could cause molding of the eggs if it stays too wet. I haven't had problems yet but my first two eggs are just getting ready to hatch. (I have 9 incubating now).
He told me to avoid the vermiculite that comes in a blue plastic bag with white writing. He uses the stuff that comes in a brown bag... Sorry, I don't have brand names. He said if I want to find out before using a particular brand to call the manufacturer and ask them if they have any chemicals in the vermiculite and they are very honest and up front telling any user what is in the mix.
Hope this helps! ...and, sorry for your losses this year.
JJay
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JJay
3.4.1 Leos
(& 5 eggs cooking)
0.1 Map turtle
